Prevent Child Abuse America announced today that the Healthy Families America affiliate Center for Children has been reaccredited as a provider of high-quality home visitation services to families who want to improve their child’s health, nutrition and developmental outcomes.

HFA is a signature program of PCAA that has been providing home visitation services for more than 20 years. Expectant and new parents have common question about their child’s development. HFA connects with families through community partners like hospitals and pediatricians to find the answers to their questions, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home, a press release states.

“Parents want to be good parents; and as parents we all have had many questions when we realize the importance of raising a child,” said Jim Hmurovich, president and CEO of PCAA, in the release. “HFA’s well-trained home visitors are trusted sources in their own communities. They help provide answers to those questions and when needed, refer parents to other community services. As we congratulate Healthy Families of Charles County we also should recognize the state leadership and the community engagement that has made this a great benefit for La Plata. HFA requires community agency involvement and the commitment of community leaders.”

The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements founded in 20 years of research. The process involved an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as the quality of the visits made by the family workers, according to the release.

“We commend the Center for Children for opening itself up to such an intensive review process,” said Cydney Wessel, director of HFA Quality Assurance and Accreditation, in the release. “We believe that all families and all communities deserve access to quality home visitation services.”

The HFA site in La Plata is located at 6100 Radio Station Road.

The Center for Children believes every child in need should have the opportunity to received quality mental health care. The Center for Children is dedicated to the promotion of positive mental health for children, youth and families and the prevention and treatment of child abuse in Southern Maryland. Through therapy, education and advocacy, it provides hope and healing, the release states.

The Center for Children is currently one of the largest providers of children’s mental health services in Southern Maryland, according tot he release.

Home visitors in each community receive extensive training in a wide range of areas that can cause stress and worry to just about every new parent: caring for a crying baby, ensuring the baby is receiving the nutrition needed promoting healthy child development and coping with the stresses of the personal relationship and financial changes that may come with an addition to the family.

Catherine Meyers, executive director of the Center for Children, said in the release, “The Center has been a Healthy Families site since 1998. I am proud of the Program Manager, Anila Khalid, our great team of family support workers, excellent community partners, such as Civista, Charles County Department of Social Services, Charles County Health Department, Judy Center, Infants and Toddlers, and the Charles County Local Management Board for their wisdom and collaboration that makes this incredible program work. And finally kudos to the many currently involved families and graduates who recognize the value of the early years to their children’s success.”